MANCHESTER UNITED’s only ‘big chance’ of their 1-1 draw with Fulham came from a very unlikely source.
Bruno Fernandes’ first-half missed penalty came back to haunt the Red Devils.
Rodrigo Muniz’s own goal from a Leny Yoro header gave the visitors a lead in the second period.
But the lead was short-lived as Emile Smith Rowe sneaked in front of Luke Shaw to poke home a near post cross less than 15 minutes later.
It was an uninspiring performance for Ruben Amorim’s men, who struggled to fashion chances against the Cottagers’ defence.
This struggle is best illustrated by the unlikely figure who created the side’s only ‘big chance’ of the game.
Goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was the only player to create such a chance, through his repeated use of long balls into the opponents’ half.
That chance came when a long ball from the Turk fell at Matheus Cunha’s feet, but Bernd Leno pulled off a smart save to tip the ball around the post with the Brazilian through on goal.
Fans of the club and neutrals alike were quick to comment on the bizarre statistic.
One X user derided the club, commenting: “When your GK is the playmaker, just know it’s peak banter era.”
Another user piled into the fray on social media, saying: “After spending over 200m on attackers they still need a goalie to create a chance.”
Bayindir came into the squad following Andre Onana’s injury issues, with the Cameroonian being left out of the squad for their season opener against Arsenal last weekend.
Bayindir’s howler in that game, which handed Arsenal the deciding goal, was not enough to dislodge the Turk from his place in the starting line-up.
Onana took up a place on the bench, but the uninspiring form of both keepers has prompted the club to look at other options in net.
They are reportedly nearing a deal to bring Belgian stopper Senne Lammens to the club to challenge the existing duo, pushing third-choice veteran Tom Heaton even further down the pecking order.
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